BRYN MAWR, PA — Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) is investing $118,500 this summer to expand community-based swim lessons and water safety programs, extending a grant initiative aimed at reducing drowning risks and increasing access to lifesaving training across its service territory.
The funding, awarded through the company’s Essential Foundation, will support 13 organizations through the third year of its Sure Splash program, which launched in 2024 to improve access to swimming instruction, CPR training and water safety education.
The company reported that the program has reached more than 34,000 children and adults since its inception. Participating organizations have provided swim lessons to about 22,500 children and teenagers, nearly 1,500 adults, delivered water safety education to roughly 10,000 people and helped train nearly 450 lifeguards.
This year’s grants expand the initiative into Illinois, North Carolina and Virginia for the first time, while continuing support for organizations across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other states served by Aqua, Essential Utilities’ water utility business.
Christopher Franklin, chairman and chief executive officer of Essential Utilities, indicated that the program is intended to address preventable water-related injuries as swimming activity increases during the summer months.
“The importance of safety in and around water can’t be understated, especially in the summer months when more and more people are seeking relief from the heat,” Franklin said. “We are honored to help fund these critical programs to ensure children, teenagers and adults in our communities can stay safe this summer.”
The company also added Sunrise Day Camp of Greater Philadelphia as a grant recipient this year. The organization serves children with cancer and their siblings through summer camp programming that includes swimming and water-based activities.
Sure Splash will continue supporting American Red Cross water safety and CPR training programs throughout Aqua’s eight-state service territory.
According to the company, the Essential Foundation has invested more than $245,000 in Sure Splash grants since the program began in 2024.
This year’s Pennsylvania grant recipients include Sunrise Day Camp of Greater Philadelphia, Horizons Greater Philadelphia, Horizons at Episcopal Academy, Nile Swim Club of Yeadon, Kaiserman Jewish Community Center and YMCA of Greater Brandywine. Additional grants were awarded to organizations in Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia, along with American Red Cross water safety programs serving Aqua’s multistate service area.
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